Nut files in UK?

Posted by Roosterman on January 6, 2011 at 4:18am

Hiya,

 

Anyone know where I can buy a set of sensibly priced nut files in the UK?

 

Or, even better, what do you guys use? Did someone mention nozzle cleraning files??

 

My old rusty hacksaw blade is apparently not the industry standard any more....

 

Cheers

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Replies

  • Alan Hodges May 24, 2011 at 1:54pm

    Hi all, enough of the smutty behaviour and back to the question in hand (ooh missus!) Just purchased these from ebay and they look to be pretty good.http://cgi.ebay.com/AxeMasters-Guitar-NUT-SLOT-SAW-FILE-Set-Luthier...305727559?profile=original

    Not had chance to use them yet, but these worked out at about £30 and were delivered in 6 days. Included was a triangle needle file, six nut files/saws and a spacing guide. Good value I reckon. Like all new toys, will probably need a bit of practice. I will retire to my shed to play with my nuts!!!

    AlanH.

  • smojo May 23, 2011 at 3:53am
    ha yeah - and let's not get into whether you've got real bone for your nuts
  • anthony May 22, 2011 at 12:31pm

    oh smojo - that made me laugh a lot.  brilliant.

    Looking back at the photos of the feeler gauges and nozzle cleaners that have been posted, suddenly they take on a whole new and painful dimension!

  • smojo May 22, 2011 at 11:30am
    I just use a soapy sponge and some baby powder on mine :o
  • HOGS GRUNT May 21, 2011 at 5:24am

    I'm with you on this Kevin. Totally agree!


    Hogs.
    Kevin Lawton said:

    To be honest I feel the whole concern of having specialiast 'nut files' is of more benefit to the tool merchants than to luthiers or players.

    Many moons ago, I spent much thought on this and considered that it is far better to have a string kept at just the right height and position by resting it in a 'V' groove than having it sit at the bottom of a slot. In a 'V' it has just two points of contact, and cannot possibly wobble, vibrate or buzz.

    So, as a result, I have always used a very fine 'V' shaped needle file on nuts rather than attempt to try to make slots the exact same width as the strings. It is far easier to get the nut dead right with this and I have never had anyone complain about nut problems as a result.  

     

  • Michael Fred Johnson May 13, 2011 at 9:35am
    I agree with Kevin Lawton about using a three square needle file and it has the advantage of making it easy to position the groove on the nut with out slipping
  • Kevin Lawton May 12, 2011 at 11:39am

    To be honest I feel the whole concern of having specialiast 'nut files' is of more benefit to the tool merchants than to luthiers or players.

    Many moons ago, I spent much thought on this and considered that it is far better to have a string kept at just the right height and position by resting it in a 'V' groove than having it sit at the bottom of a slot. In a 'V' it has just two points of contact, and cannot possibly wobble, vibrate or buzz.

    So, as a result, I have always used a very fine 'V' shaped needle file on nuts rather than attempt to try to make slots the exact same width as the strings. It is far easier to get the nut dead right with this and I have never had anyone complain about nut problems as a result.  

     

  • dogfinger steve May 10, 2011 at 3:47pm
    i like the feeler guage idea.. cool:0)
  • Roosterman January 6, 2011 at 1:42pm

    Thanks for the in depth replies guys.

    As it happens, its now a mute point for me - I mentioned I was after a set in my local guitar shop this morning and the guy informed me he'd just upgraded.... so he gave me his old set!

    Iv still ordered the feeler gauges and nozzle cleaners though, just to see how they compare.

     

  • Mark January 6, 2011 at 6:26am

    I have a couple of old needle files which I use for most of my bridges and nuts. I find its perfectly OK to have the strings resting in a "V" groove rather than a narrow slot. However I guess you're looking for something to cut fine slots. I tend to use a junior hacksaw for that sort of task (I've also tried grinding the kerf off a blade to get a narrower cut).  I suspect John and David's suggestions would give you a finer slot though.

     

    I'm always on the lookout for bargain tools. There's a guy who turns up at the local flea market with a stall full of secondhand tools. He has bargain bins of stuff at 50p and 20p an item. Some stuff is a bit rough and some things are just downright weird but occasionally I find a useful one in reasonable nick.

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